Letter from Dean Pam Jansma
Happy February to All,
As we move into the semester, earlier sunrises, and later sunsets, I thought that I would share some data from The 2023 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report (full report here). The report, which is developed by the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Colorado Department of Higher Education, emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts and sciences education for high school graduates and workers needing additional skills. On pp. 37 of the report is a chart that contrasts the number of technical skills currently in demand with the number of "core skills," like communication, cooperation, organization, leadership, and problem solving—all skills developed through the liberal arts and sciences.
The report predicts Colorado workplaces will increasingly automate technical tasks: "According to a July 2023 report by the McKinsey Global Institute, an estimated 30% of time spent by U.S. workers in 2023 could be automated by AI technology by 2030." CLAS degrees and certificates, which include instruction in effective communication, problem solving, research, and quantitative and qualitative analysis, can benefit those workers needing additional "core skills" to change jobs or positions successfully.
The report also recommends educational institutions and workplaces increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices to recruit and retain an increasingly diverse Colorado population. According to the Colorado State Demographer's Office, "The following population pools are estimated to have the largest population growth and likely biggest impact on Colorado’s changing economy and evolving workforce: Two or more races (not Hispanic and/or Latinx) share of estimated growth is 112, Asian American or Pacific Islander share of estimated growth is 112%, and Hispanic and/or Latinx share of estimated growth is 65%."
